RECIPROCATING

PUMPS

*
SUMIT
SUMIT KUMAR
KUMAR

MOTILAL NEHRU NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY,ALLAHABAD.

FAMILY TREE
Positive Displacement Pump

Linear Type

Reciprocating Type

Piston Pump

Rotary Type

Diaphragm Pump

Causes a fluid to move by trapping a fixed amount of it and

then forcing (displacing) that trapped volume into the
discharge pipe.
Also known as Constant Flow Machines

OPERATING PRINCIPLE

Pushing of liquid by a piston that executes a reciprocating motion in a

closed fitting cylinder.
Crankshaft-connecting rod mechanism.

Conversion of rotary to reciprocating motion.

Entry and exit of fluid.

WORKING
Cylinder.
Suction Pipe.
Delivery Pipe.

Suction valve.
Delivery Valve.

CHARACTERISTICS
Triplex
No generation of head.

Crank-shaft Rotation

Because of the conversion of rotation to

linear motion, flow varies within each
pump revolution.

Flow variation for the triplex

reciprocating is 23%.

Quintuplex

Flow variation for the quintuplex pump

is 7.1%.

Crank-shaft Rotation

EFFECT OF VISCOSITY

Pressure

Reciprocating
Pump

Provides a nearly constant flow rate

over a wider range of pressure.

Centrifugal
Pump

Fluid viscosity has little effect on the

flow rate as the pressure increases.

Flow Rate

PISTON/PLUNGER PUMP
They are reciprocating pumps that use a plunger or piston to move media through
a cylindrical chamber.
It is actuated by a steam powered, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric drive.

Other names are well service pumps, high pressure pumps, or high viscosity
pumps.
Cylindrical mechanism to create a
reciprocating motion along an axis, which then
builds pressure in a cylinder or working barrel
to force gas or fluid through the pump. The
pressure in the chamber actuates the valves at
both the suction and discharge points.

The volume of the fluid discharged is equal to

the area of the plunger or piston, multiplied by
its stroke length.

DIAPHRAGM PUMP
A diaphragm pump is a pump that uses a combination of the reciprocating action of a rubber,
thermoplastic or teflon diaphragm and suitable non-return check valves to pump a fluid.
Has been developed for handling corrosive liquids and those containing suspensions of
abrasive solids.
In one section a piston or plunger operates in a cylinder in which a non-corrosive fluid is
displaced..

The movement of the fluid is transmitted by means of flexible diaphragm to the liquid to be
pumped. The only moving parts of the pump that are in contact with the liquid are the valves,
and these can be specially designed to handle the material.
In some cases the movement of the diaphragm is produced by direct mechanical action, or the
diaphragm may be air actuated.

*
CHARACTERISTICS OF
DIAPHRAGM PUMP
Suitable for discharge pressure up to 1,200 bar have .
Good dry running characteristics.
Are low-shear pumps.
Can be used to make artificial hearts.
Are used to make air pumps for the filters on small fish tanks.
Can be up to 97% efficient.
Can handle highly viscous liquids.
Are available for industrial, chemical and hygienic applications.

WORKING OF DIAPHRAGM PUMP

A vacuum is created inside the pump
casing each time the diaphragm is
raised.

This opens the inlet valve and seals the

discharge valve allowing water and air
to enter the pump.

When the diaphragm is lowered the

resulting pressure seals the inlet and
opens the outlet valve purging the pump
housing of water and air.

Unlike centrifugal designs the water

inside the casing is positively displaced
and no recirculation occurs.

PUMPING POWER
Power=(p*Q)/
P: Change in total pressure between
the inlet and outlet.
Q: Discharge of the pump.

: Efficiency.
V2

Q=(ALN)/60.
Q: Discharge of the pump, m3/sec.

A: Cross-section of piston or cylinder, m 2.

z
L
V1

L: length of stroke in meter, m.

N: speed of crank, r.p.m.

PUMP EFFICIENCY
The ratio of the power imparted on the fluid
by the pump in relation to the power supplied
to drive the pump.

Ratio, r

Volumetric efficiency :
(Discharge volume / Suction volume)-slip

60% 50%
90%

C S

r = (VC+VS)/VS =1+(VC/VS)
Mechanical efficiency : loss occurs while
overcoming mechanical friction in bearing
and speed reduction.
Speed of piston= (stroke)*(rpm)/(30000).
(mm)

Discharge Pressure

% of full speed 44
50
73
M.E, % 93.3 92.5 92.5 92.5

100

% of full-load
developed pressure 20 40 60 80 100
M.E,%

82 88 90 92 92

APPLICATION
Agriculture.
Chemical.
Desalination.
Horizontal Drilling.
General Industries.
Mining.
Oil and Gas.
Pulp and Paper.
Sewer Cleaning.
Steel.

COMPARISON
CENTRIFUGAL(

RECIPROCATING(

Increases flow due to thickening of

the flow.

Loses flow as the viscosity

goes up.

Changes in pressure has a

dramatic effect on efficiency.

Changes in pressure has little effect

on efficiency.

Very inefficient at even modest

viscosity.

Very efficient with high viscosity.